WW1 soldier's remains found on French building site

The remains of a World War One soldier that were found during building work in France have been laid to rest.

Serjeant Henry Ashton from Derbyshire was killed aged 44 in 1917, during an operation near Lens.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said following the war, Sjt Ashton's body was not recovered, and he was listed on the Memorial to the Missing at Loos.

The service on Wednesday in Loos-en-Gohelle, France, was attended by Sjt Ashton's family and was supported by Padre John Storey of 5th Bn The Rifles, and soldiers from 1st Bn The Rifles who flew in from Cyprus.

His remains, the MoD said, were discovered during construction work for a new hospital in Lens, and DNA testing of metal ribbons led to formal identification.

Sjt Ashton initially served 12 and a half years with the Seaforth Highlanders before working for the Midland Railway Company.

He re-joined the Army in March 1915, first with the Derbyshire Yeomanry before transferring to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in October 1916.

Following his death in 1917, Captain Allden Owles sent a letter to his family which said that Sjt Ashton died "instantly" and served "bravely".

The service was organised by the MoD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the MoD War Detectives.

Sjt Ashton was the first named soldier to be buried and laid to rest at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Loos British Cemetery Extension, the MoJ said.

Alexia Clark, MoD War Detective, said: "It has been a privilege to identify Sjt Ashton, and to be able to organise this burial service for him.

"When you consider the half a million men still missing from the First and Second World Wars, every one we can identify feels like an achievement.

"I am delighted that Sjt Ashton's family have now been able to give him the dignified burial he had been denied for so long."

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